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Weekend Punch: Elevating the tone

The Punch Team

by The Punch Team

01 Sep 05:00am

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Filed under: Open Thread, Republican Party, Weekend Punch

65 comments

In Tampa, Florida, this week, the Republican National Convention formally appointed Mitt Romney, a businessman and the former governor of the America’s most difficult to spell state (Massachusetts), as their presidential nominee.

Future president?

The conventions are essentially three or four days of pageantry and pomp (read: propaganda) for both parties going into the final stretch of the campaign, held November 6. President Obama will front the Democratic Party’s meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina next week.

The 2012 election campaign has been labeled particularly nasty this year. But there’s always one thing at these meetings that elevate the tone: the balloon drop!

OH YEAH

Feel free to let your mind float a little. It’s the weekend. What’s on your mind?

Comments on this post close 8pm Sunday AEST.

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65 comments

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    • NESLIHAN KUROSAWA says:

      06:33am | 01/09/12

      Hi Punch Team,

      It is election time in the USA once again and there seems to be   so much excitement in the air I only presume!  Will these elections be about family values, religious preferences, international politics, women’s rights to certain things and most importantly the economy? Elections in the USA, seemed to be about the oh so glamorous, so bright and star studded as well as rare performances by Hollywood veterans like Clint Eastwood!  And seeing all these famous and successful people working together with the candidates could actually make all the much needed difference in the presidential race leading up to November 6!

      I truly don’t like to go for all that glamour and colour myself!  I would much rather see that “very real what you see is what you get kind of people in the running”.  Their life styles would have to be true to life so that most voters could relate to them in a deep & meaningful way! All politicians should be judged on their own personal track record and over all performances! And those pre election campaign promises which happen to be very famous all around the world. My question to you today is “as voters should we actually take all those election promises seriously”? Or not? Kind regards to your editors.

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      01:38pm | 01/09/12

      @NESLIHAN….I enjoy reading your posts as they are always well thought out and concise,unlike some others on this forum….

    • PsychoHyena says:

      03:44pm | 01/09/12

      @pa_kelvin, in regards to my comment yesterday on whether the pun was intended, was your “Darn, my socks have holes in them what do I do?” comment. Holey socks get darned raspberry

      Continue as you were people.

    • pa_kelvin says:

      07:51pm | 01/09/12

      PsychoHyena ...Pun was intended I just didn’t respond to you properly ,sorry about that…. smile

    • gobsmack says:

      07:24am | 01/09/12

      The balloon drop.

      A fitting symbol.  Pleasing to the eye but filled with air and inevitably following a downward trajectory.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      07:49am | 01/09/12

      I’m glad I live in Australia, however it too is changing.  I’d hate to live in a country where it is believed it is OK to gee workers up with a daily burst of bullshit.  It is the acceptance of the technique which irritates me.  It is about the hypocrisy of sugar coating a ‘dawg eat dawg’ world where the cult of the individual is king. When the chips are down the Yanks always fail, if they can’t use their money.  Look back at Changi during WW2.  The yank captives acted as individuals looking after them selves first.  The Poms kept their class system going.  It was the Australians who had the support systems going and looked after each other.  As far as I’m concerned Mitt Romney is just another silver tail looking to suck up a bit more cream for his friends and himself.

      Reply

    • Paul says:

      11:43am | 01/09/12

      ‘As far as I’m concerned Mitt Romney is just another silver tail looking to suck up a bit more cream for his friends and himself.’

      Not unlike the ALP and the Unions hey Acotrel?

    • nihonin says:

      07:50am | 01/09/12

      fml from yesterday (apologies for dragging it over this morning)
      ‘I reckon lets finish afghanistan, make conscription mandatory for all australians and lets go finish the taliban once and for all. I am game, are you?’

      Obviously I hit a soft spot with you fml, my Service Number from when I was a ‘grunt’ in the Army will still be on file with the Dept of Defence, I’m game.

      Reply

    • TChong says:

      07:57am | 01/09/12

      Punch Team - No mention of Dirty Harry/s post-post-post -post modern
      performance art piece ?
      Plenty of reviews availble at Huff Po, Daily Beast ect- I would encourage all
      Punchers to see for them selves.
      To borrow a comment from HuffPo-
      Poor ol’Clint seem to believe the US govt is a 3 piece lounge suite. !

      Reply

    • Bill says:

      10:08am | 01/09/12

      What’s huff po?

    • nihonin says:

      10:10am | 01/09/12

      TChong, I found it as funny as when I’ve seen comedians do much the same skit.  But what the hell was Clint Eastwood thinking, seriously.

    • Ellis says:

      10:55am | 01/09/12

      A typical left response.

      It was a brilliant performance and the empty chair symbolism neatly summed up the vacuous nature of the Obama failed Preidency.

      You know it hit a chord as the poseur in chief was quick to attempt to counter on twitter.

      Eastwood knew exactly what tone and tenor he was setting in his appearance and delivery. it was watching the master work.

      Stunning, brilliant and amazing. Eastwood is a master actor and director. If the subtleties of his performance went over your head I pity you. You truly missed an opportunity to appreciate what one man can do when they speak to power effectively.

      The interesting thing to note about all of those leftist moutpieces you mention Chong is the fact that having exhausted their failed “fact checked” lie against Ryans oration and obviously wondering how to counter Romneys speech and rise they only had Eastwood left attack. The desperation of the Dems is redolent of Rudd as he knew the time was coming.

      The GOPconvention was enormously successful. Obama in his now parodied and mocked twitter reply simply showed that he is very worried. Imagine, the President responding to an actor? The man is serious trouble and he knows it.

      It truly amazes me when you cannot parse information for yourself, see conterxtually what he was doing and listen to the message. I saw a tweet by a Punch staffer, actually a few, yesterday referring to this and laughed long and loud because they fell into the same trap as you.

      Not getting his speech IS the problem. And the reaction to it merely shows that he was on the money and the Democrats are in crisis having nothing, nothing to talk about vis a vis record, delivery or performance. The lefts rhetoric will ratchet up in this already filthy campaign of bile from the Chicago club, All they have left is ad homien race baiting.

      Math and a 82 year old master actor/director has laid them low. The emperor has no clothes and a paper thin skin.

      Such a shame you, and others, cannot see skill and subtelty wehn presented to you.

    • pa_kelvin says:

      01:13pm | 01/09/12

      Go ahead, make my day…..... smile

    • Gregg says:

      07:57am | 01/09/12

      Talking of Nationals, hopefully old Angry Anderson is talking nonense on seeking election and the Nationals ought to have their collective heads exchanged if they even contemplating taking him on board.

      Like it is not that he is already 64 and but he is just a bloody old fool and his appearance on the GBTWYCF SBS Insight show last night was classical,
      Angry came out with some wonderful lines like how his language was all about being selected but then he capped it off with a display of ignorance and a little arrogance!
      ” Why were we not being told how it is really is in Afghanistan and re some asylum seekers electing to return there from Nauru “
      Really, really, what planet does the guy reside on?

      And then quite often on the program he looked to be so near nodding off that more than a few people ought to be sending him retirement home brochures.

      The Insight special ran much as you might expect with the three “against ” trio having their emotions brought out and the three ” for ” having their emotions brought to the fore.
      And why would that not be so for being presented close up and personal with horrendous tragedies you would expect nothing less.

      What shows like Insight never dwell on though is the broader picture of having tens of millions of people in horrendous conditions and that if we do not have orderly systems in place in attempting to help on an equitable basis, then we can expect to fail.
      The comedian of all people came out with a good three word slogan nearly as good as Stop The Boats - ” Educate, Donate and Participate “
      Sounds great in theory! , and can be applied a number of ways I imagine.

      The big E can no doubt be applied to the GBTWYCF participants and in fact it may have been the Shock Jock Mike who was prepared to not only learn quite a lot but also get involved in personal participation.
      Allan Asher still needs to learn that despite his protests, there is a huge queue.

      Reply

    • Martin H says:

      10:20am | 01/09/12

      All the show did was prove what a douche Michael Smith really is, mind you, the other five participants weren’t far behind him.

    • SD says:

      10:27am | 01/09/12

      He’d have to change his name back to Garry but that wouldnt be anywhere near enough. Can you imagine it? Vote - “angry” Anderson LP candidate for Silvertailia. They’d have to give some place in the bush but still don’t see it. His values may be old but c’mon Gaz you’re rock n roll! Those suits wouldn’t know fun if it it bit them.You’d find it really boring! Most of the time it is boring crap.

    • acotrel says:

      12:33pm | 01/09/12

      The Nationals are always good for a laugh, but they really should ge t the ir stories straight .  The latest is that the y are attacking the govenment beca us e it has okayed sale of Cubby Station t o a foreign corporation..  ‘Not in the national interest they cry’ !  One of their people said that Cubby STation holds the biggest wa ter licence in Australia.  He also said they a ccount for 10% of Australi’s cotton crop !.
      Two years a go when BRumby was building the north south pipeline - he was ‘taking water awa y from our food bowl’ !  The nationals should decide exactly what is the best use of our water ? Perhaps plan their bullshit accordingly ?

    • pa_kelvin says:

      02:06pm | 01/09/12

      Gregg… He should probably run for the Labor party…Then he and Garret can form a new band….....The tired no hopers??? smile

    • Gregg says:

      07:11am | 02/09/12

      @Martin,
      Suppose we all have our own idea of what sorts of labels to put on people and I saw Mike as being reasonably straightforward.
      What we see on the show is obviously just the bits the producers want us to see, possibly anything of some sensationalism to promote watchability.

      One of the main watch bits as far as Mike probably went was his run in with the Somalian chap and I do find it interesting that people who accuse others of not listening might just be diverting some questioning and in that case it seemed to be on the use of a false passport by the Somalian guy to initially enter Australia.
      The guy may have had reasonable reasons to do so or it may have just been technically incorrect re use of family names or whatever, complete answer never fully revealed.
      And then Imogen jumped in well but she did not really have all that much more to contribute.

      At least Mike stuck with his principles as even though it could seem his family may be doing something for some Somalians, he did state that he would still not support use of false documentation.

    • M says:

      07:59am | 01/09/12

      A case in the US is claiming feminism is a religion.

      Reply

    • Mayday says:

      08:05am | 01/09/12

      Romney at the convention “Obama said he will stop the sea rising.  I just want to look after you and your family.”

      Classic one liner.

      Reply

    • Bear says:

      09:59am | 01/09/12

      The simplicity and stupidity if it summed up the republicans perfectly!

    • acotrel says:

      08:14am | 01/09/12

      I was just looking back throught the topic of Abbott and the carbon tax.  I got a laugh ot of this, it seems to be a generic answer to all of our problems :

      ‘thatmosis says:11:33am | 31/08/12

      Acotrel, I have just realise who this saying is for , it suits you to a Tee
      “Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible IF you don’t know what you are talking about.”
      ’ - Really good stuff - thanks for that !  I will save it up and use it to topple my son when the occasion arises.

      Reply

    • Bill says:

      09:46am | 01/09/12

      Acotroll - 8 am on a sleepy Saturday and you’ve got nothing better to do than continue with your bizarre obsession with the federal Opposition Leader.

      What are you going to do next year when the worst PM in Australia’s history (even worse than Whitlam!) is given the biggest kicking ever by the public and the Coalition has massive dominance in both houses?

    • iansand says:

      08:24am | 01/09/12

      There is a factual error in this article.  Massachusetts is the second hardest state to spell. You have ignored Connecticut.

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:10pm | 01/09/12

      Or Whyom….....Wiyomo….....Wyominnn…..Wyoming?????????

    • marley says:

      08:03pm | 01/09/12

      Nah - Missississipppi - or something….

    • Bertrand says:

      08:27am | 01/09/12

      The Texan Republic Party platform includes a specific rejection of the teaching of ‘higher order and critical thinking skills’.... what is this I don’t even… They literally oppose teaching people how to think for themselves.

      It also wants to see the IRS, the Dept. of Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency abolished, the repeal of the Endangered Species Act, the minimum wage law and the Voters Rights Act - that’s the one that enfranchised black people. They want to rescind no-fault divorce laws, define human life as beginning at conception (which would outlaw all abortion and even the morning after pill), want to ensure America doesn’t ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, want to remove laws regarding the use of corporal discipline in foster homes, orphanages and schools and oppose all forms of sex education other than abstinence.

      http://www.texasgop.org/about-the-party

      Conservatives my butt. What a bunch of radical wingnuts.

      Reply

    • Bear says:

      10:13am | 01/09/12

      Wow. Those ideas are so ingenious they’re really stones throw from guns for kids (actually they already have that), slavery (already have too, minimum wage is almost slavery), and what else.. No taxes for millionaires, Romney paid 14% in a year so there’s work to be done there. They’re first act in Govt is always a tax cut for the very rich so that’s an easy fix.

    • Mattb says:

      12:45pm | 01/09/12

      Shhh, Bertrand, theyre Abbott’s policies too, dont let the cat out of the bag just yet!..

    • Mattb says:

      12:49pm | 01/09/12

      But seriously Bertrand, your right, its pretty scary. They’re no better than the Taliban terrorists they attack, probably worse..

    • Mouse says:

      08:41am | 01/09/12

      “Elevating the tone”?  Weeeeeeell maybe not but found this, thought it was pretty funny, especially after yesterday’s “how much do you drink” column.  Don’t get technical, don’t look at what beer it is, just have a chuckle to start the weekend.  You know you’ve wanted to do this!!  LMAO   :o) 

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GbHpqfv9is&feature=player_embedded

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      11:38am | 01/09/12

      That was a good laugh, have a great weekend Mouse smile

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:07pm | 01/09/12

      Good one Mouse, and so many to chose from… smile But the word of the day is scotch. smile

    • Mouse says:

      04:41pm | 01/09/12

      You too nihonin.  Just got back from a barbie at our local car accessories shop. They moved into a bigger place so today was the grand opening.  Mmmmmmm love sausage sizzles!  lol :o)
      oh pa_kelvin, don’t encourage him!  lol :o)
      What do you guys think of the slow posts on the weekends and early shuts???  Not sure about the early shuts, sometimes that’s the best time to get on here. Oh well, what will be, will be I suppose   :o/

    • nihonin says:

      06:33am | 02/09/12

      Tried to respond yesterday Mouse, but snail mail have been faster wink

      The snag sizzle, great little fund raisers and a quick filler as well, speaking of a cars, I’ve almost finished working on my BF Futura, making it look aesthetically pleasing, not too worried about beefing it up as it a dedicated LPG motor (but I have heard it is possible to ‘up’ the Kw, looking it into that).  So far my ‘girl’ has cost $3500 or there a bout’s.  pa I prefer a Bourbon.

    • Mouse says:

      11:04am | 02/09/12

      Sounds nice nihonin. What year is yours? They did bring out a bigger engine in 2011, the Barra EcoLPi, that ups your kW to 198kW, but that would be much $$$ I would think! I will ask around, know a couple of Ford freaks (not having a go at you!! lol) that like big hp so may be able to get some tips. Nothing like doing up a car, your baby, so to speak! lol
      I have Land Rover Discovery 1 on the go, changing it to a manual and looking at going all gas. Actually caught up with my mechanic yesterday that the opening and he seems pretty keen on the idea. Trouble is getting the room underneath, would need carry 100lts gas to get the 80lts petrol I have now AND not wanting to have tanks in the vehicle….. he’s a big boy, he’ll work it out!  lol Yeah, I know, bloody women, want, want, want! Hey, it makes the world go around!!  lol
      Anyway, have a great Father’s Day (are you seeing them this weekend?) to you and all the other Dad’s, soon to be Dads and will be one day Dads!  :o)

    • nihonin says:

      12:38pm | 02/09/12

      thanks for the greets Mouse (my youngest daughter is nicknamed Mouse she’s 16), I will see the eldest daughter and the grand daughter today round lunch, they’re going to the Sunshine Coast for a week holiday with the boyfriend.  The other kids I will catch up with in about 2 weeks for the middle daughter’s birthday.  My car is a 2007 BF Futura, agree nothing like making your ‘baby’ look puretty.  wink  Appreciate any advice you can give…........thanks.

    • TChong says:

      09:45am | 01/09/12

      Shane
      further evidence, if any needed, that both sides of politics are as self serving, hypocritical, as the other.
      Unfortunately ,  these two mirror image parties get take turns to sit on the treasury benches .
      Im all for the Westminister system, but it would be better if either party was worthy of the honor of leading this nation.
      The article you link to, shows neither side are.

    • TimB says:

      09:30am | 01/09/12

      Oh my god. This is freaking hilarious. Quick overview- A non-profit organisation developing small cheap computers for children and low-income customers, and some random dropkick trying to scam a free one.

      And go: http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/1901

      Reply

    • Brad storch says:

      10:17am | 01/09/12

      Is that little half “sieg heil’ the republican salute!? Bush used to do that too.

      Reply

    • John says:

      10:31am | 01/09/12

      Obama and Romney are both puppets to the same people. The difference is that Obama’s tread is almost finished, while Romney has brand new spanking tires. If Obama get’s another term, his tires will pop and the US will most likely rise up and demand he be removed power. With Romney, he has brand new tread, so he might last 3 months before the US population want to get rid of him.

      So if my calculations are correct the puppet masters, will be going for Romney Win, as Obama’s re-election would destabilize the US further.
      They could also put more faith in Obama and undermine Romney. But this would be very risky, the people might revolt.

      Reply

    • Max Redlands says:

      11:04am | 01/09/12

      If you look at the picture you will see the (presumably helium filled) balloons are actually rising up (unless they’ve developed balloons that all gravitate towards one spot as they fall) in order to create a euphoric, festive, literally uplifting feeling.

      The full effect, however, which has been used in conventions (democratic and republican) past, is achieved by having lighter than air balloons riding up while at the same time others filled with air and released from the ceiling fall slowly to the floor. Beyond euphoria this induces a sensation of weightlessness which, in extreme cases, can amount to an out of body experience.

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:25pm | 01/09/12

      Beautiful day in BrisVegas,1 daughter up from Sydney,other 2 coming over 6 grandkids and a BBQ celebrating 3 birthdays and Fathers Day all in one…. Going to be a good weekend…. Allready got 2 bottles Glenfiddich..more to come. smile  Hows the snow going Ant??

      Reply

    • Mouse says:

      04:47pm | 01/09/12

      Enjoy your weekend and have a great Dad’s Day tomorrow! Havaglenformetoo lol   :o)

    • pa_kelvin says:

      11:35am | 02/09/12

      @Mouse…...I responded to your query re slow times, seems both postings have dissapeared…

    • cedric says:

      12:49pm | 01/09/12

      Thank God ( any one of them),  there’s not a state called Tampon, but there is a US state called “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations”. Howzat! Gimme a balloon.

      Reply

    • Justme says:

      02:47pm | 01/09/12

      I just made some yummy cheese straws.

      Reply

    • Mouse says:

      11:06am | 02/09/12

      Cheese, did some one say cheese?  Gimmeeeeeeeeee     :o0

    • nihonin says:

      12:44pm | 02/09/12

      So Mouse would you eat them or use them to drink with?

    • Mouse says:

      03:33pm | 02/09/12

      Both, nihonin, both!  lolol *hic*  :o)

    • Ben says:

      03:02pm | 01/09/12

      According to ABC News, Eastwood gave a “rambling” speech. I guess that’s Ultimo vernacular for “Aunty is disappointed that this celebrity did not endorse a progressive candidate.”

      Reply

    • Mr. Jordon says:

      03:08pm | 01/09/12

      What does it say about the candidates when they are shown up by an 82 year old actor having an imaginary conversation?

      Reply

    • marley says:

      07:53am | 02/09/12

      Umm, I guess it says they’re not actors.  I don’t know that is says anything more.

    • stephen says:

      06:27pm | 01/09/12

      Try spell Illonois.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      06:36pm | 01/09/12

      It may be time, considering what is going on with certain lands dispersing Islam to other nations that are not of that ilk, and not to mention Iran, which inadvertently (or is it ?) generating such a default position of the East as the norm, that Romney gets in, and as the leader of the free world his government closes ranks as The West ... and we do, too.

      We close ranks, politically ; not much, just a little.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      06:51pm | 01/09/12

      At 1.50am there’s a film on Gem90 called Klute, starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland ... 2 fine actors, and I reckon this is their best film.
      I remember seeing it at the cinema when it was first released.
      I still think about it.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      07:25pm | 01/09/12

      I’ve got a proposal : I can coach the Gold Coast Suns to win next year’s AFL Grand Final.

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      07:42pm | 01/09/12

      Crikey I love basil.
      (Funny how we think of the smell and not the fell.)

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      08:14pm | 01/09/12

      I’ve been watching the Paralympics, and the sprinters are very earnest.
      In fact, all the Athletes there are very earnest.

      Usain Bolt is not.

      A lesson in earnestness, perhaps ?

      And what the Olympics should retake ?

      Reply

    • pa_kelvin says:

      12:57pm | 02/09/12

      West Tigers out of the finals….........Not a happy chappy today… :(

      Reply
 
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